Has anyone made their own seitan? Or even eaten seitan?

[dangermouseisace]

Hi I've just bought a book with lots of seitan recipes in it. I've never tried it in any form, as I've never felt the need, I've never wanted 'mock duck' or whatever and frankly, I think it looks like a big poo.

However, I'm thinking fake meat style stuff might be an achievable compromise between me and my meat-eating, most veg/pulse hating children, that they might be more likely to attempt to eat than my usual favourites (i.e. nothing resembling meat at all).

Seitan seems to involve preparation and effort, and buying stuff I don't already use. The question is...is it worth it? Or will it be something that tastes as awful as it looks? If anyone knows what seitan is like I'd love to hear about it. TIA!

Seitan is really tasty. Places are popping up which offer take away seitan meals. Perhaps this could be a good starting point to see if you and family like it?

Thanks for the reply hibble. Takeaway sounds a good idea but would blow my food budget! Also where I live is a small town, about 15 years behind everywhere else in the UK and food places here aren't great at catering to vegans. I might give making seitan a go though (I live near a shop that sells the raw ingredients fortunately!)

I tried making it a few times based on the Veganomicon recipe (hate that cookbook btw) and really didn't like it. I never eat it tbh. - I focus more on whole foods. The new Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall 'More Veg' cookbook is very good for tasty vegan recipes, and many of them would go well as a side dish for non-vegans!. I know your kids might not like all of them but it might be worth a go.

Btw, I have omni kids and have had most success with giving them vegan sausages and Quorn dippers/nuggets (I know they're not vegan but it's a start)!

I've got hughs book (ordered a few at once!) and it looks fabulous, that's true.

So far quorn dippers/sausages haven't been successful but maybe if there are no meat options they will cave in eventually (they get meat at their dads and school dinners)

Yes, I love it. It's fun to make and it's great to eat.

Join the Seitan Appreciation Society on FB if you're on FB.

I've tried a number of recipes. Some came out a bit too bready, the Gentle Chef's chicken tenders came out like rubber but his sausages were dynamite - you have to experiment a bit. It's very dependent on cooking temperature.

I just made these "chickwheat shreds" which were a massive success (no instant pot so I just used a normal steamer). Once you've made them you can use them like shredded chicken (they're bland by themselves) - rubbing them with a mixture of oil, soy sauce, garlic and ginger then wok-frying them was amazing.

avocadosandales.com/2017/12/17/chickwheat-shreds/amp/

(aquafaba = liquid from the can of chickpeas by the way)

I have eaten it and really don't like it. I want to like it, but dislike the weird rubbery taste.

How do you pronounce that? is it 'Satan'?

Yes

I quite like it (haven't made it myself but have had it in restaurants) but I wonder how healthy it is. I think it's just mainly gluten, so I wouldn't eat too much of it.

Marks and Spencer have a new form of soy protein which looks and tastes like it (you can buy it in "chicken" pieces). It has the same texture as seitan. Waitrose also have it in meals and there's is made by The Vegetarian Butcher www.thevegetarianbutcher.com/

Wiggypig - that recipe page looks great. Wish I could buy that product.

Thanks for all the tips! I'll have a look at the websites. It seems seitan is perhaps the marmite of the vegan world!

I’ve had a bash a few times with seitan. Made bbq ribs and steak so far. Wouldn’t say prep is too bad actually. The kneading can be a bit tiresome on the hands but the end result is well worth a protein packed meal!

I made some seitan today, and it was so much nicer than the seitan I have eaten at the vegan cafe.

I followed this recipe and made fajitas with the end result. I have portioned the remainder up and put it in the freezer for future meals.

It was very easy to make as well.